Lewis and Cunningham Impress on European Debuts

Oct 25, 1992
Dartford, England – Two American drivers were among the finalists in today’s Duckhams Formula Ford Festival & World Cup at Brands Hatch.
Brian Cunningham, 22, finished 10th in his factory-run Coca-Cola Swift SC92F, while 20-year-old Ashton Lewis guided his Valvoline Team USA Scholarship/Primus Racing/John Village Automotive Van Diemen RF92 to an equally accomplished 15th.

The event was won by Danish teenager Jan Magnussen, who had been a strong pre-race favorite.

Lewis and Cunningham were the only members of a four-strong American contingent to reach the final round of a grueling competition which attracted 170 drivers from 23 nations and was held over three days in cold, blustery and sometimes very wet conditions. Both Tony Ave and Geoff Boss were eliminated in the heat races.

Cunningham’s aggressive style saw him reach third place in his Quarter-Final race on Sunday morning, then qualify for the Final with an excellent drive to fifth in his Semi-Final race.

“I learned more this weekend than I did in a whole season of racing at home,” said Cunningham, who started in 10th and maintained that position in the face of some stiff opposition.

Lewis, meanwhile, moved up brilliantly from 10th to sixth place in his Semi-Final, which started in extremely wet conditions. Unfortunately, when the track began to dry, he slipped back to 10th again.

“The car was great in the wet,” he said. “As soon s the dry line began to appear, the car began to understeer.”

Lewis once again was impressive in the final, providing the BBC television cameras with some exhilarating on-board footage during a hectic battle with five other cars. Lewis was disappointed when the anticipated rain failed to materialize.

“The car wasn’t quite as good as we thought it would be,” he said. “But we still accomplished what we set out to do, which was to qualify the Valvoline Team USA car for the Final. I really had a good time and learned so much. It was a great thrill to race in such a competitive environment.”

Photo: Lewis battles with Scotsman Louis di Resta